Maker Faire 2021: ENEA, technological innovations for health, food and sustainable development

Innovative studies to unveil the genetic and chemical components of high quality coffees, vertical gardens as "biofactories" of vaccines, antibodies and diagnostic tools against Covid, but also frontier biotechnologies and new materials for energy applications. These are some of the cutting-edge technologies and solutions ENEA presented at the recent "Maker Faire Rome 2021", the largest European event on technological innovation and digital transformation, where startuppers, innovators, researchers and families share know-how, projects and innovative ideas, in a mix of creativity, science and technology (8-10 October 2021, 10-19, Gazometro Ostiense, via del Commercio 9/11, Rome).

Participation in this 9th edition of Maker Faire Rome – the first European edition - organized by the Rome Chamber of Commerce and Innova Camera, was possible both in person and online via a dedicated platform which enables users to browse the stands, interact with researchers and attend real-time talks, meetings and specials on innovation, scheduled before, during and after the event.

ENEA participated in the Agrifood section with six of its most recent innovations in biotechnology, circular bioeconomy, safety and sustainability of agri-food systems:

• Plants as biofactories for the production of vaccines, antibodies and diagnostic tools against COVID19, other infectious diseases and other conditions,  including tumors. Thanks to an innovative biotechnological approach, plants grown in vertical structures with hydroponic soilless systems are "trained" to produce biopharmaceuticals, to satisfy the national demand for biomolecules, useful for mass diagnostic screening, passive immunotherapy and vaccination.
• Frontier research to identify the genetic and chemical characteristics of espresso and so-called “specialty” coffees (of the highest quality) from 13 countries; a sort of ID of the best coffees in the world, with components and properties that make them unique, revealing their molecular "footprint" and traceability of origin.
• Materials and technologies for applications in the energy field, like: micro-current generators that use waste heat from industrial processes; composite, metal and ceramic materials for Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes and components made with additive methodologies for applications in heat exchange and in biomass combustion plants.
• Advanced solutions to ensure greater food production, reduce waste, optimize the use of natural resources and improve  quality and productivity of the agri-food system, exploiting the potential of microbial communities and their genomic "makeup". In particular, as part of the project SIMBA, the ENEA researchers have set up special microbial "consortia" to increase the yield of open field crops and consequently productivity. Furthermore, at the Agrobiopolis Technological Hall of the Trisaia Research Center microbial consortia based on agro-industrial waste -to be used in agriculture as biofertilizers- will be developed.
• Innovative strategies to fight the tiger mosquito, reducing its ability to mate and transmit tropical viruses like  Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya.
• Innovative technological solutions to develop bioproducts with high added value - with applications in the agri-food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, textile and biomaterial sectors - through the enhancement of biological resources, including waste and agro-industrial by-products, in a perspective of circular bioeconomy, sustainability and reduction of the environmental impact of production.

The event also focused on agricultural practices and energy consumption related to production, processing and distribution of products and on the challenge of  reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this sector, a symbol of Italian excellence.